Arthur (Artie) was a cray fisherman most of his life, he fished with
his father at Cape Jaffa a village south of Kingston S.East Artie
owned his own boat the "Ansma"and kept it in perfect condition.:
Chapter Nine
ARTHUR JAMES MOFFATT
Drowned at Cape Jaffa
Arthur (Artie) James Moffatt aged 45 was a returned service man,
having served in the 27`h Australian Infantry Battalion, joining at
the age of 18 in 1941. Upon his return to Australia he started fishing
for a living and at the time of his death was in his 23rd year as a
fisherman. His Couta boat Ansma had been built in 1936 and was 25.7
feet long, after Artie purchased it the name was changed, Ansma coming
from the first two letters of Artie's mother's name (Ann) and the last
three from that of his sister (Esma).
On Saturday October 19 Artie left the Cape Jaffa jetty in his dinghy
to row out to the moored Ansma. He was engaged in readying her for the
start of the fishing season in November. About 20 yards from the jetty
he apparently suffered the onset of a heart attack and fell into the
water. Another fisherman, Mr. A. Anderson, noticed the empty dinghy
and raised the alarm. Artie Moffatt's body was found shortly after in
about 7 feet of water and artificial resuscitation applied without
result. After transport by ambulance to the doctor death was
pronounced, the cause given as asphyxia from drowning with symptoms of
a preceding heart attack. The deceased was buried on the Monday, the
funeral being attended by many fishermen from South East ports. He was
survived by his widow Ruth, his sons John and Mark, and daughter
Helen.
Two sisters of Artie Moffatt's mother Ann married Huckel brothers and
each also lost a son to the sea. Margaret Huckel lost a son when
William drowned in the Thunderbird. Grace Huckel lost a son when Moral
Huckel drowned at South End on December 8, 1957.
Compiled with the help of the following sources; SE Kingston Leader,
October 24, 1968 Naracoorte Herald, October 24, 1968
43